Africa

Congolese politics

The kingmaker is dead

THE Democratic Republic of Congo is a country rich with rumours. After one of President Joseph Kabila's most trusted advisers, Augustin Katumba Mwanke, was killed in a plane crash on February 12th, speculation that Mr Kabila perished too was rife. There was some precedent: in 2001 after the assassination of Mr Kabila's father, Laurent-Desiré, his body was flown to Zimbabwe and the announcement of his death was delayed while his advisers chose a successor.

That successor was Joseph. Mr Katumba kept him in power. For more than a decade, the two men have between them ruled Congo, Mr Kabila reluctantly in front, Mr Katumba in the shadows. Since his death Congolese politicians have described Mr Katumba as "the brain” behind the presidency. Cables from the American embassy in Kinshasa published by Wikileaks support that description. They tell of a gatekeeper who controlled access, brokered most major business deals, and helped the president to amass a fortune large enough to ensure his re-election. Mr Katumba's final achievement was to manufacture Mr Kabila's victory in the presidential elections in November, despite being widely disliked.

Few politicians have long-term visions, Congolese ones even less so. The shifts in power in Congo's young and fragile democracy motivate politicians to "eat" while they can, as the locals say. The corruption stems from the paranoia of 30 years of dictatorship. Mr Katumba was one of the country's biggest "eaters", but he was also a visionary. He saw the potential of Congo's natural riches—copper, gold, oil—and found companies that would brave Congo's kickbacks and conflicts to mine them. His unaccountable and backroom grip on power was part of the reason that risk existed; the country did not benefit as much as it should have from the self-interested investments Mr Katumba championed. That could change when Mr Kabila picks his replacement. But there are few obvious successors. When Katumba spoke, you knew he was speaking for Mr Kabila, businessmen say. Now the president will have to speak for himself.

He Was A Pioneer, A Visionary Wit Remarkable Business Acumen A True Capitalist Despite The Rumours, I Think His Work Overshadows The Corruption Rumours... He Was A Colossus In Congolese Politics!!! May His Soul RIP!!!